Von Miller won’t be coming back to the Broncos in 2022

After Von Miller had a career resurgence during the second half of the 2021 season, helping the Rams win the Super Bowl after being traded midseason to Los Angeles, there were many in Broncos Country who hoped a reunion with the Broncos would occur this offseason. The Super Bowl 50 MVP was a free agent, paving the way for him to return to Denver to finish out his career.

Well, that’s not going to happen. On Wednesday, the notion that Miller would return to the team that drafted him No. 2 overall in 2011 was officially put to bed.

Von Miller gets a 6-year deal for $120M, source said. https://t.co/RC0Inwt2pc

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 16, 2022

That’s a big contract. No, it’s a mega contract.

An annual salary of $20 million for six years? No one saw that coming for a player who turns 33 later this month. And it probably explains why a return to Denver wasn’t in the cards.

Yesterday, the Broncos were able to land a new edge rusher. They agreed to terms with Randy Gregory on a five-year, $70-million deal. At $14 million per year, that suddenly seems like a bargain compared to Miller.

Gregory is a gamble, as he’s had all sorts of off-the-field issues that have led to more games suspended during his career than games played. But Miller doesn’t come without his own share of risk, as he’s been injury plagued since turning 30.

In the end, money and age probably derailed a feel-good story. Von Miller isn’t coming back to Denver. Instead, he’s headed to Buffalo.

***

Related

Monforts ‘expected’ to sell another 35 percent of Rockies to Penner Sports Group, per Woody Paige columnBentley’s spot on Broncos roster is ‘well-deserved,’ says EngramBroncos have veteran Taylor Rapp back in Denver for another tryoutBo Nix and Tim Tebow sit down for cool conversation, Nix calls Tebow ‘childhood hero’After winning the division last season, does the AFC West run through Denver?Dr. Ramos and Zach Bye discuss why playing in the preseason matters